The Popular Unity Candidacy (CUP) blocked the investiture of Artur Mas yesterday evening.

The Catalan President in functions obtained the support of his own 62 party deputies, and opposition in block amounted to 73 against.

Nov 11, 2015 - 5:41 AM

In this first round of voting Artur Mas needed an overall majority and so there will be a second vote tomorrow where a simple majority is all he will need, carrying 62 he needs two more deputies for the simple majority of 64.

The Catalan Parliament - Archive photo

Yesterday’s vote saw eight abstentions all from CUP while their two other deputies voted against.

At the end of the investiture debate, with Mas more than a little concerned, voiced the possibility of the second voting being a secret vote, which was immediately rejected by CUP claiming such a strategy would only ‘occur’ to a president.

Antonio Baños from CUP had said before yesterday’s vote they didn’t trust Mas and his party has ‘no security’ than any new Govern lead by Artur Mas would lead to their wish of a Catalan republic and they needed an undertaking to deal with corruption in his party, by lifting up the carpets to uncover the ‘remaining structural corruption’ in Cataluña.